repairing auto body damage caused by your teen

If you have recently noticed a spot on your vehicle where the paint has chipped, you will want to repair it as soon as possible to avoid having the underlying metal rust. When paint gets scraped you may want to take your vehicle to an auto body shop for an assessment. If it is merely a small chip, however, you should be able to do the paint repair on your own. Here are some instructions on filling in the area so that no one will be able to tell it was there at all.

Materials You Will Need

• Bucket of soapy water
• Non-abrasive sponge
• Rust-inhibiting primer
• Paint pen
• Paint polish
• Sandpaper in fine, medium and coarse-grit
• Buffing pad
• Electric drill

Cleanse The Area

Before you fill in the chip with paint, clean it completely so the paint will adhere properly. Cleaning it will also remove any obstructions from the area. Use a non-abrasive sponge to apply a mild detergent mixed with water. Scrub down the surface and allow it to dry thoroughly.

Assess The Damage

If the paint is worn down to metal, you will want to add a rust-inhibiting primer to the area before you fill it in with paint. Allow this to dry according to the package directions and add a second coating if required. 

Find The Paint

Buy an auto paint pen from a car dealership or an auto supply store. Look inside your vehicle manual for a code that corresponds to the proper coloring for your particular make and model. If you do not have a manual, the paint code may be listed on a sticker on your driver's side floor panel.

Color The Chipped Area

Use your paint pen to color in the affected area. A paint pen has a small brush on the end of the applicator. Simply brush on over the area that is missing color and allow it to dry overnight. Make sure when you apply the color, you drag it over the edge of the existing paint around the chip. Apply a total of four to five coatings with a full day to dry in between each one. This is how a professional auto body shop would color your vehicle.

Finish The Project

After the paint dries, it will need to be sanded down so it is uniform with the existing paint around it. First dip your sponge into some water and moisten the area you had painted. Add a dab of paint polish to the area and rub it over the paint. 

Use a piece of coarse-grit sand paper and scrape it on the painted area until it feels smooth. Switch to a medium-grit sandpaper for a few minutes and then finish with the fine-grit sandpaper to give it a sleek finish. Lightly sand the edges of your existing paint to help make the entire area look uniform.

Finish the job by placing some paint polish on the edge of a buffing pad. Place the pad on an electric drill. Plug the drill in and turn it on. Rub the buffer against the painted area using a circular motion.